Lightning Crashes

Voyage Of The Sea Star

The Fate of the Azure Warden

Prologue:In late 591 CY, a cloaked mage appeared before Jian Destron, the Szek of Onnwal. Claiming to be an emissary of the Emperror of the Bright Lands, the mage informed Jian Destron that Rary had aided him in his escape from the Scarlet Brotherhood after the fall of Onwall in 584 CY. In order to pay off this debt, Rary requires the Szek to surrender his first-born child immediately. The Szek of course refused, and the emissary departed empty handed; but not before calling down a curse upon Jian and the House of Detron.

Since then, nothing has been heard from Rary or the Bright Lands.

At the begining of 592 CY, an agent of the Scarlet Brotherhood, Daxand, kidnapped Duchess Sailema Relaster and her infant child Veryanna Destron. Fearing an alliance between the Scarlet Sign and Rary the Traitor, Szek Jian had personally asked the party to investigate further in the matter. Once they arrive in Hardby, the group is to meet with one Joran Havelos, a capable guide who will safely guide the party into the heart of the Bright Lands.

Having boarded the merchant vessel, The Sea Star, the voyage started smoothly enough. While attempting to evade a Scarlet Brotherhood in the Gearnat Straits, the ship came across a pirate vessel. Attempting to flee that, The Sea Star was subsequently caught up in a storm, and blown miles off course. Dealing with heavy damage, and rapidly taking on water, the captain had no choice but to head for landfall off the coast of the Bright Desert.

While sailing westward, looking for a safe place to beach, the crew spotted a wreck washed up in a small cove. Despite being severely damaged, enough viable timber remained to effect the much needed repairs to complete her journey to Hardby.

The heroes were tasked to examine the wreckage, and to confirm its safety for the crew to begin cannibalizing parts of the ship. While exploring the vessel, they determined she was once The Azure Warden, and only the stern remained of value for salvaging. Her crew, now dead, was guarded by the spirit of Varn Amandis. He informed the group that a lone survivor of the wreckage wandered off alone months ago, down the coast. Varn successfully bargained with the party, that in exchange for him not harassing the sailors during the salvage operation, the heroes would return his body home to Onnwal and locate the missing sailor. The group informed Captain Keriann, of The Sea Star, of their bargain with the ghost and set off into the desert.

Heading along the shore, the party discovered a pool of brackish water. Many small tracks crisscross in front of it, and vegetation seemed to grow thicker around it. To their dismay, this was home to a large pair 15’ scorpions; dispatching them was no fun.

Crossing a heavily scattered rock formation of loose boulders, the heroes came upon an oasis: and off to its side, a small cave. Huddled pitifully inside on a pile of clothes lay a horribly burnt man in sailor’s garb. Any attempt at communication immediately failed, his mind was clearly beyond any reach. Despite his state, the party was able to coax him out of the cave.

Laying in wait outside was half-a-score of nomads led by shaman. They demanded the party surrendered all their valuables, or forfeit their lives. Having no patience for this, the heroes attacked and made quick work of these desert hill men, taking there horses in the process.

While crossing the jagged rocks on the return back to The Sea Star, a terrible rumbling, proceeded by a flash of red light interrupts the journey. Rising from the ground, a dark-skinned woman of stunning beauty with the lower torso of a scorpion struck at the party with her mighty tail. She attacked the party without restraint, and only replied, “Baj, Mur-dauk Asma-thak.” when questioned. In addition to her fierce natural attacks and long spear, she was also an accomplished spell caster.

Defeating her was a feat of no small measure, the existence of her kind is the stuff of hushed legend. And with her death, the party was no closer in uncovering what she wanted, or what she was shouting at them. As the sands swallowed her body back into its earthly embrace, all the remained of her was a strange necklace of a lone rider.

Returning to the cove, the party was greeted by the welcoming sight of The Sea Star floating safely on the water: repairs now complete, she waited patiently for her heroes to return.

Epilogue:Captain Keriann, true to his word, returned the bones of Varn Amandis to Onnwal. The lone survivor of The Azure Warden was taken into custody by the Holy Sisters of the Lady of the Waves. Though his body was quickly healed, his mind still remains shattered.

Dear Evening Glory,
We have rescued the Duchess but her child is still taken. She was about to be sacrificed in a room that screamed of lost souls. I showed the two undead the chill of the grave as a warning to keep them at bay while my friends stopped the man from bringing the knife down. When it was all over, we saw the one who is currently keeping the child through a crystal ball. Apparently, he is this Kesh of Scant Atticus was talking about. There was something about him… looking at him made my gut turn. I do not like this. We are now on a journey to find the child but I have great unease. Was he the one responsible for tormenting those poor souls in the tower where the Duchess was to be sacrificed? Could he be possible for bringing that much pain? I prayed for the dead and Uncle has told me that it will help bring them rest when the Clerics come to purify that room.

This mission was given to us from the highest authority in Onnwal to retrieve the child. It is unusual that a child is given this much importance when many people have disappeared, were found dead, were taken, were branded by that accursed mark, were forced to no longer be able to rest… I don’t understand these systems sometimes. Attitcus is best to deal with it.

We set sail for the Bright Lands where it looks like the child may be located. That was when you gave me that vision again. When we made it to land, our end point (shall we say) was a little south from our destined goal. In order to repair the ship, had to look through an old wreck with only the departed keeping it company. Something or someone had found its way on the ship and could steal or touch souls. Only Varn, a crew man who hid in the quarters remained as a spirit. At his request, we searched for a survivor who turned out to have his soul removed but his body could still live and maintain itself. I couldn’t believe such a thing was possible. We asked the crew to take Varn’s body and the hollow one back to Onnwal so they can hopefully find peace. I hope he is eased of his guilt. The desert is surprisingly cold at night. I did not expect that. Still the cold didn’t bother as much as it used to. I believe your love helps keep me warm.

I think I finally have some wonderful news, great Evening Glory. Love may be blooming between Grumpy and Llelf. They speak of affection for each other but Uncle keeps telling me that they are kidding. I hope that is not the case because I’ve always wanted to conduct a wedding ceremony like the High Priestess does it. Lots of flowers, the aiilip’s soothing cry, the special love poem gets read as the lovers express their vows. It would also be nice to see that little bit of happiness shine through. They may not have to worry about first having child before performing the ritual but they may not be at the point where they want to preserve their love forever yet. I’ll ask them in the future. I may have to have them see the High Priestess because she’s the one who’s allowed to do the ritual.
Love Eternal,
-Nadya Sírhalom